If you are moving to San Diego for work, chances are pretty good that you had your bags packed before the deal was final. Who doesn’t want to live where there are gorgeous beaches and parks, as well as a never-ending supply of things to do? Not to mention, year-round perfect temperatures and plenty of sunshine are enjoyed here! Well, before you hit the road in your car or buy that plane ticket you should put a little thought into the move. Where are you going to live? What are you going to do if you end up hating your job? Are you prepared to say goodbye to your friends?
Visit First
It is highly unlikely that you will not fall madly in love with this city. However, that does not mean you will not end up disappointed with your neighborhood. San Diego is filled with a ton of fantastic neighborhoods, but they may not all suit your lifestyle. Maybe you are looking for a family-friendly community or perhaps you prefer an area inhabited by hipsters. By visiting first, you can get a feel for the neighborhoods before you settle on one. You might even want to put everything in storage and stay in temporary housing or move in with someone looking for a roommate until you are settled in an area. If you will be taking public transportation to work, accessibility to the Metropolitan Transit System may play a role in deciding where to live.
Have a Backup Plan
In a perfect world, you will love everything about your new job, but what if you don’t? What if your new boss makes your life miserable because he wanted one of this buddies to get your position? What if the staff has strong clicks and is unwelcoming? What if you just decide this is not what you want to do with your life? You should make sure there are other companies that would welcome your skills while you are at it. Maybe you should see if there are other opportunities available you should be exploring, to begin with. One of the many great things about San Diego is there are always plenty of hospitality jobs available to fall back on.
Get Active and Join In
Do not limit yourself to only making friends with people you work with. It is fine if these people really do become your friends, but you will be happier with some fresh faces in your life. Browsing the Meetups site is a good place to start. There are Meetups planned in this city to appeal to literally anyone. Just a few of the countless groups include:
- All Things San Diego
- Active Lifestyle NERDS!
- Take a Hike!
- The San Diego Lesbian Meetup
- San Diego Black Professional Meetup Group
- San Diego Running Meetup Group
- Cheap Movie Night
- San Diego Vegans
- San Diego Outdoor Enthusiasts
Joining a gym is another great idea. If you are not a fan of the gym, take yoga, Pilates, Zumba, or dance class. You will also find that San Diego has plenty of social groups to join, as well as art and cooking classes. You might even want to get involved with one of the many rewarding volunteer opportunities available in the city. If you are looking to move to San Diego, remember to use Unpakt for all your moving needs!
